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"We're a positive engine for the economy," Jay said. "We ought to touch upon that."

Jay said he plans to look for new revenues to reach a balanced budget. He said he'll spend his first days on the job learning as much as he can about the department, then contacting school, business and community leaders to make sure the program is taking advantage of pride for UH sports.

"I'll be reaching out," he said. "There will be faces on campus I think that will be surprised to see me."

Jay replaces Jim Donovan, who was reassigned after a bungled Stevie Wonder concert that was to be a fundraiser for the athletic department. Donovan left the university altogether after taking a job to be the AD at Cal State Fullerton.

Jay said he's reviewed the internal audit report and knows the department's employees are eager to move on and show the department is being run properly.

"As with anything in life, you get beyond it," he said. "Everything's about teachable moments. We will make mistakes and we will learn from that."

Jay will be paid $293,000 per year, with bonuses worth thousands depending on how well the football and men's basketball teams perform, and the department's finances.